Latest news with #LeRoux
TimesLIVE
15-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'I'm here to ensure there's credibility': Miss SA Mia le Roux on her role in national dialogue
Miss South Africa Mia le Roux, who is a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa's national dialogue eminent persons group, says the dialogue is important to give a voice to the voiceless. 'I believe this national dialogue is important because, as someone who has always felt unheard, who never had a voice, this is an opportunity for you to have your voice heard,' Le Roux said at the group's inaugural meeting at the Union Building on Friday. 'And you really do have an opportunity to have your say, and I'm here to ensure that there is credibility to the process and that it is a success.' Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and has been relying on a cochlear implant to aid her hearing. She's the first hearing-impaired individual to be crowned Miss South Africa. She uses her platform to advocate for inclusivity. In June Ramaphosa announced an eminent persons group that will guide the national dialogue discussing challenges facing the country, such as poverty, unemployment, inequalities, crime, gender-based violence and corruption.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Miss SA 2024 Mia le Roux's role at the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group meeting fuels social media debate
Mia le Roux's attendance at the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group meeting at the Union Buildings ignited a heated online debate regarding her participation as a beauty queen. Image: Instagram An online debate on X was sparked after Miss SA 2024, Mia le Roux, was spotted engaging in a conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa while attending the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group meeting. Le Roux attended the meeting, which took place on Friday, July 11, at the Union Building and was held by Ramaphosa as well as the Eminent Persons Group to address and find solutions to tackle issues that are happening in South Africa. The Eminent Persons Group is made up of leading figures in society with a proven commitment to advancing social cohesion and nation-building. The beauty queen was among prominent figures in SA, including legendary actor Dr John Kani, Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman, social activist Dr Brigalia Bam, among many others. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ After she was crowned Miss SA 2024, Le Roux shared with the nation that her advocacy was inclusivity and to create a sense of belonging for everyone, including those living with disabilities. During a brief interview shared on the Presidency's official X page, Le Roux explained her belief in the importance of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group Meeting for society. 'As someone who has often felt their voice went unheard, the National Dialogue provides that opportunity for my voice to be heard…' ~Mia le Roux Miss South Africa Member: Eminent Persons Group — The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) July 11, 2025 'I believe that this National Dialogue is important because, as someone who has always felt unheard, who never had a voice, this is an opportunity for you to have your voice heard. And you really do have an opportunity to have your say, and I'm here to ensure that there is credibility to the process,' she shared. Despite revealing the reason why she is a part of the dialogue, Le Roux faced criticism from some online users who claimed and questioned how she fits into the dialogue. X user @Jenna_original2 captioned her post: 'How does Mia le Roux fit into this dialogue? What does she know about the struggles of black South Africans?' How does Mia Le Roux fit into this dialogue. What does she know about the struggles of black South Africans? — 🍉 Jenna_🇿🇦 🇵🇸 🇷🇺 (@Jenna_original2) July 13, 2025 This post sparked a division among social media users as many advocated for her attendance and shared that she represents people living with disabilities. 'I think she's representing people with disabilities,' @Nelisiwe94 shared. I think she's representing people with disabilities. — Nelisiwe (@Nelisiwe94) July 13, 2025 While @Mantsi_ added: 'I guess she represents people living with disabilities, she is Miss South Africa and I guess the dialogue is about SOUTH AFRICANS.' I guess she represent people living with disabilities, she is MISS SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 and I guess the dialogue is about SOUTH AFRICANS🇿🇦 🤔! — C.M Mathekga (@Mantsi_) July 14, 2025 Despite social media users questioning Le Roux's attendance, it is undeniable that the beauty queen has changed the stigma and the capabilities of people living with disabilities.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Are Willie's Bok days now over?
Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse are already ahead of Le Roux in the pecking order for the No 15 jersey. Is this it for Willie le Roux? One has got to wonder whether the latest member of the Springbok 100-club will play again for the national team. On Saturday in Gqeberha, Le Roux joined seven other players to have picked up 100 caps for the Boks when he started at fullback in the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha. Le Roux delivered a mixed bag performance and was subbed not long after half-time. But with the two-time World Cup winner turning 36 next month, and with Aphelele Fassi (27) and Damian Willemse (27) in the wings and already ahead of Le Roux in the Bok pecking order, it feels like we've seen the last of the assist king, as Le Roux has come to be known in recent years. Let's also not forget coach Rassie Erasmus has in the past also called up Jordan Hendrikse (24), who can play flyhalf and fullback, and Quan Horn (24), and they have lots of international rugby ahead of them. Bok fullback competition Le Roux has been a quality Bok member since 2013, despite how many fans feel about his abilities. Like most players, he's got his strong points and weak points, he's done good things and made some blunders, but he's always played with passion and always thought of those around him rather than himself. It will be interesting to see if coach Rassie Erasmus keeps Le Roux in the mix for the Rugby Championship. I don't think he will, not with Fassi and Willemse around and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also able to play fullback. The Boks are well covered in the fullback department. Where does one rank Le Roux then, among the Boks' fullbacks since 1992? Can he be spoken about in the same company as Andre Joubert and Percy Montgomery? Is he better than one of them, or better than both, or is he not even close to being in that company? Whatever your thoughts, Le Roux served the Boks well, he won two World Cups and he played 100 Tests. That's some career, so well done to him. And thank you for all the thrills – and spills.
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
A voice for the unheard: Miss SA Mia Le Roux joins National Dialogue to ‘ensure credibility'
Le Roux is among those invited by President Ramaphosa to join the Eminent Persons Group, appointed to guide the National Dialogue. Miss South Africa Mia le Roux said her participation at the National Dialogue is to ensure that there's credibility in the process. Picture: mialerouxx/Instagram Miss South Africa Mia le Roux said her participation in the National Dialogue is to ensure that the process is credible and to serve as a voice for the voiceless, advocating for those who often go unheard. 'I'm here to ensure that there is credibility to the process. We all are here to drive that credibility and to ensure that this will be a success,' said Le Roux. She was speaking at the inaugural meeting that President Cyril Ramaphosa had with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings in Tshwane on Friday. The president announced the appointment of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to guide and champion the National Dialogue, and Le Roux is among those invited. ALSO READ: 'We said yes to forever': Miss South Africa Mia le Roux is engaged! Le Roux, the advocate Le Roux was diagnosed with hearing loss when she was a year old and received her cochlear implant shortly after. She has since become an advocate for people living with disabilities, using her platform to raise awareness and promote inclusivity. 'I believe that this national dialogue is important because as someone who has always felt unheard, who never had a voice, this is an opportunity for you to have your voice,' Le Roux said. The 29-year-old recently announced that she has become engaged to her partner, Luke Tenoever. ALSO READ: More than 53 000 sign petition to remove Minnie Ntuli from radio and TV Dr Kani's thrill The EPG consists of prominent individuals in society with a proven commitment to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building. The selected individuals are drawn from across the country and from many fields of endeavour in public life, according to the government. In the art and creative space, the president invited elders, including actor, playwright and director Dr John Kani and author and poet Gcina Mhlope. 'Since 1994, all of us had envisaged the future. All of us knew what was going to happen to our lives, what was going to be improved in our lives, and slowly that image gets blurred,' Kani said. 'And now, when the president said after the elections that we need a national dialogue, I was thrilled.' He said his excitement about the dialogue stems from the opportunity to reflect on the country's journey since the dawn of democracy in 1994, particularly in terms of citizen reflection. 'Maybe even speak to ourselves in our communities and say 'what can I do to improve the situation, to improve the lives of our people…what are my responsibilities in dealing with crime in my street',' said the actor. Kani highlighted other social ills the country faces, urging South Africans to reflect on their contributions to the country's welfare. ''Are you aware?' I'm asking myself, I'm not saying what the government is doing. I'm asking myself what am I doing. This then, for me, give us that push.' Speaking to The Citizen just after Ramaphosa announced the long list of EPG, celebrated singer-songwriter Thandiswa Mazwai said she didn't receive an invitation from the president. and that she would've accepted the invitation had it come. 'There is much to be legislated in our industry and much to be done to protect artist rights, livelihoods and dignity,' shared Thandiswa. Opinion on the National Dialogue is as divided as the country's election results last year. While some have seen it as an opportunity for South Africans to air their grievances about the country's progress or the lack thereof over the last 30 years, others view it as a waste of state funds by the government. NOW READ: Thandiswa Mazwai says she would've accepted invite to national dialogue had Ramaphosa sent it
The Citizen
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
'Amazing,' says Willie le Roux about 100th Test for Boks
Willie le Roux is now the eighth Springbok centurion, and will likely slip behind Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi in the fullback pecking order. Springbok centurion Willie le Roux runs onto the field before the start of their match against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday night. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images Saturday was a special day for Springboks stalwart Willie le Roux and the city of Gqeberha as the Boks turned on the style to whitewash Italy 45-0 in their second Test of the incoming series at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. For Le Roux it was his landmark 100th appearance for the national team, and although he produced a mixed bag, with a few mistakes coupled with some moments of brilliance, including a chipped try assist, it was the perfect way to celebrate with a big result. It will now be interesting to see what the Boks' plans are for 35-year-old Le Roux, who is the eighth Springbok centurion, as he has arguably been passed in the fullback pecking order by Damian Willemse and Aphelele Fassi. Springbok dream 'I said it earlier in the week, that it was my dream to play for the Springboks since I was six years old. I wanted to play rugby, I wanted to make it work, even if I had to go a different route,' said Le Roux after the match. 'So just to be here today with my wife and my family, to celebrate this milestone of my 100th cap in South Africa was amazing. My phone has never, even with the two World Cup (wins) combined, been as busy as this week. 'It is quite emotional and to just try and keep away from all that (was tough). There was a job to do first, so it was quite hard to try and balance that emotion and not do something stupid at the start (of the match), because you want to show something. 'When I ran out on my own it was very emotional and I didn't know what to do with myself. I was just waiting for the team to come out. So it was very special and I am thankful for it.' For Gqeberha it was a fantastic night with the Springboks finally back in the city in all their splendour, and a full house of boisterous fans were on hand to cheer their team from the first whistle to the last, as they produced a terrific atmosphere. It was the first game in the city since 2021, when they played Argentina in the Rugby Championship behind closed doors due to Covid, and the first in front of fans, when they played Australia, also in the Rugby Championship. Eastern Cape locals A number of members in the Springboks squad are from the region, including coach Rassie Erasmus, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, regular captain Siya Kolisi and wing Makazole Mapimpi, so it was a special homecoming for them as well. 'It was really nice (to be here). As I have said before different stadiums have different vibes. Bloemfontein, Mbombela and PE (Gqeberha) all have a special vibe in the sense that while you warm up the whole crowd is in already,' said Erasmus. 'In other stadiums, only after the warmup and just as the Test is going to begin does everyone come in. So you already feel the support from the warmup. That's not to say other stadiums are not supportive, they all have different atmospheres that carry us through the game. 'But this was a loud crowd, even during a few of our difficult spells, they were lifting us and we all enjoyed it. As for (those of) us that come from here, it was extra special. You could see Stokke (Stick), was a bit emotional, as well as Mapimpi and myself. 'It's a place where we would love rugby to thrive, because it is where we started our rugby journeys, and were taught the ropes. This crowd misses the Springboks and international rugby and they showed that through their support. Even with Willie who isn't from here, they loved and supported him. So it was baie lekker.'
